Cosmetic applicator with antimicrobial device

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic applicator has a base, a brush retained by the base and a cap positioned on the base in a closed configuration of the applicator to fully enclose the brush within the applicator. An antimicrobial device is retained within the cap and is configured for direct contact with the bristles of the brush in the closed configuration of the applicator.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/908,978, filed Nov. 26, 2013, the entire disclosure of whichis herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This disclosure is related to the field of cosmetic applicators and moreparticularly to cosmetic applicators having antimicrobialcharacteristics built into their cases for inhibiting the growth ofbacteria and microorganisms on and within such applicators.

2. Description of the Related Art

The world is full of microorganisms and while many of these arebeneficial, or even necessary, for human survival, a large number are,in fact, detrimental and downright dangerous to humans. It has long beenrecognized that a large number of human maladies can be traced tomicroorganisms and specifically viruses and bacteria. Maladies such asinfluenza, malaria, staphylococcus (staph), athlete's foot, and even thecommon cold can be traced to microorganisms or antigens acting on thehuman body. Further, even more common conditions such as body odor canbe traced to microorganisms. The primary issue encountered withmicroorganisms is that they are everywhere and it is often difficult toseparate the good from the bad. This can be particularly true insituations where the human body is at an increased risk for infection.This can occur when the skin is broken (either by accident, orpurposefully such as in surgery) or where a human has a decreased immuneresponse due to age, immunosuppressant drugs, or other conditions.

The human immune system is incredibly effective at destroying dangerousmicroorganisms and supplies a multitude of different responses andattacks when the body is invaded by a non-recognized microorganism.However, even with this powerful response, there are microorganisms thatthe body can, and regularly does, miss. There is also the issue thatwhile the body may respond to the presence of an antigen, the body maybe unable to react fast enough to prevent the human host from sufferingpermanent injury or death.

In order to assist the body in the destruction of harmfulmicroorganisms, a variety of things are used. Many of these areantibacterial compounds which target specific features of bacteria tokill them off. These are commonly used in conjunction with the humanimmune response to result in bacterial death. A concern withantibacterials is that while antibacterials can be very effective, theycan have the side-effect of allowing bacteria to evolve which are immuneto particular antibacterials. For this reason, they are commonly usedsparingly.

Another classification of assistance devices are antimicrobials.Antimicrobials, and specifically, non-specific antimicrobials, have amajor advantage over most antibiotics and other antigen specificresponses in that they often have a much greater lethality which canreadily prevent the spread of resistant bacteria. Certain antimicrobials(such as chlorine bleach) are so effective that they are readilyaccepted in widespread use.

Via the oligodynamic effect, a number of metals, or more specificallythe ions of metals, including copper, silver, gold, mercury, iron, lead,zinc, bismuth, aluminum, and others can be effective non-specificantimicrobials. It is understood that these ions deactivate structuraland metabolic membrane proteins, which will lead to microbial death andmany microbes view certain forms of metal ions as a food source,allowing the ions to enter the microbe easier. The incorporation ofcertain other antimicrobial materials into a variety of products has,therefore, become increasingly commonplace.

Technologies that prevent the production and growth of miscellaneousbacteria and microorganisms in cosmetic applicators such as cosmeticbrushes have not utilized antimicrobials, but instead generally focus onthe use of synthetic bristles and/or the treating bristles with chemicalagents having antibacterial properties. Synthetic and chemically treatedbristles, however, are not permanently antimicrobial. Accordingly, thesebristles must still be cleaned regularly.

SUMMARY

The following is a summary of the invention in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is notintended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. The sole purpose of this sectionis to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Because of these and other problems in the art, described herein, amongother things, is a cosmetic applicator generally comprising a base, abrush comprising a plurality of bristles retained by the base, and a cappositioned on the base in a closed configuration of the applicator tofully enclose the brush within the applicator. An antimicrobial deviceis retained within the cap and is configured for direct contact with thebristles of the brush in the closed configuration of the applicator.

In an embodiment, there is described a cosmetic applicator comprising: abase; a brush comprising a plurality of bristles retained by said base;a cap positioned on the base in a closed configuration of saidapplicator to fully enclose said brush within said applicator; and anantimicrobial device retained within the cap and configured for directcontact with bristles of said brush in said closed configuration of theapplicator.

In an embodiment of the cosmetic applicator, the antimicrobial devicecomprises a plurality of prongs extending longitudinally within said capand being retained by said cap for direct contact with said bristles ofsaid brush in said closed configuration of said applicator.

In an embodiment of the cosmetic applicator, the prongs are generallycylindrical with rounded tips.

In an embodiment of the cosmetic applicator, the prongs comprise a metalhaving an oligodynamic effect.

In an embodiment of the cosmetic applicator, at least one of said baseand said cap comprises a metal having an oligodynamic effect.

In an embodiment of the cosmetic applicator, the prongs comprise atleast one of copper and an alloy thereof.

In an embodiment of the cosmetic applicator, the base and said capcomprise at least one of copper and an alloy thereof.

In an embodiment of the cosmetic applicator, the prongs comprise atleast one of copper and an alloy thereof.

In an embodiment of the cosmetic applicator, the base includes a sleevemoveable relative to said base.

There is also described herein, a cosmetic applicator comprising: abase; a brush comprising a plurality of bristles retained by said base;and a cap including a plurality of prongs extending within said cap,said plurality of prongs having an antimicrobial on an outer surfacethereof; wherein said prongs are interspersed within said bristles ofsaid brush when said cap is positioned on said base in a closedconfiguration so as to fully enclose said brush within said base andsaid cap.

In an embodiment of the above cosmetic applicator, the prongs are formedfrom a metal having an oligodynamic effect.

In an embodiment of the above cosmetic applicator, the prongs are coatedwith a metal having an oligodynamic effect.

In an embodiment of the above cosmetic applicator, the prongs are formedfrom copper or an alloy thereof.

In an embodiment of the above cosmetic applicator, the prongs are coatedwith copper or an alloy thereof.

In an embodiment of the above cosmetic applicator, the cap is formedfrom a metal having an oligodynamic effect.

In an embodiment of the above cosmetic applicator, the cap is coatedwith a metal having an oligodynamic effect.

In an embodiment of the above cosmetic applicator, the antimicrobial isa source of metal ions.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to theabove-mentioned aspects. Further features may also be incorporated inthe above-mentioned aspects as well. These refinements and additionalfeatures may exist individually or in any combination. For instance,various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustratedembodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects,alone or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a cosmetic applicator in accordance withone embodiment with the applicator illustrated in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1 with acap of the applicator removed from a body thereof to define an openedconfiguration of the applicator.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section of the cap of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the applicator of FIG. 2 with the cap omittedwith the applicator in its opened configuration and a brush positionedlongitudinally outward of the body; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, acosmetic applicator (10) of an embodiment is illustrated in the form ofa cosmetic brush for use in applying makeup. The cosmetic applicator(10) includes a cap (20) that is removably positionable on a base (50)that houses a brush (70), such as, but not limited to, a bristle brush.In this manner the applicator is configurable between a closedconfiguration as illustrated in FIG. 1 in which the cap (20) ispositioned on the base (50) to fully enclose the brush (70) within theapplicator (10) and an opened configuration in which the cap (20) isremoved for using the brush (70) as best illustrated in FIG. 2. One ofordinary skill in the art would understand that the brush (70) can berigidly positioned in the base (50) so as to not move, or can bemoveable relative to the base (50) allowing it to extend and retractform the base (50) to assist in placing the cap (20) over the brush (70)

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, in an embodiment, the base (50) of theapplicator (10) includes a generally cup-shaped body (52) and acylindrical sleeve (60) that is telescopically positioned within thecup-shaped body (52) to provide sliding movement in relation to the body(52). A brush (70) comprising a mounting head (72) and a plurality ofbristles (74) secured thereto is retained (e.g., such as by using asuitable adhesive, mechanical fastening, springs, or other knownretention techniques) within the cup-shaped body (52) and may remainstationery upon sliding movement of the sleeve (60) relative to the body(52) between a retracted position as shown in FIG. 4 in which thebristles (74) of the brush (70) extend longitudinally outward of thebody (52) and sleeve (60) and an extended position as shown in FIG. 2 inwhich the bristles (74) of the brush (70) are substantially entirelysurrounded by the body (52) and sleeve (60).

The cap (20) of the illustrated applicator (10) is configured forreleasable connection with the sleeve (60) generally through the use ofa close friction fit. However, other methods and systems may be used asunderstood by those of ordinary skill. The cap (20) is attached to thesleeve (60) and/or body (52) to hold the cap (20) on the base (50) andfully enclosing the brush (70) within the applicator (10).

The bristles (74) of the brush (70), in an embodiment, are soft hairscomposed of either synthetic or natural fibers. However, the bristlesmay be of any material suitable for use in applying makeup, cosmetics,soaps (such as shaving soaps), moisturizers, or other externally appliedproducts to a user's skin.

The cap (20) and the base (50) are generally in the form of hollow tubesbeing closed at one respective end thereof. In the depicted embodiment,the tubes are generally cylindrical, but this is by no means required,and the tubes may have any cross-sectional shape. Generally, when theapplicator (10) is in the closed position, e.g. in the orientation shownin FIG. 1, the closed end (56) of the base (50) is at the bottom of theapplicator (10) and the closed end (26) of the cap (20) is at the top ofthe applicator (10) generally sealing the brush (70) inside the hollowinterior of the applicator (10).

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the cap (20) includes an antimicrobialdevice (30) disposed therein. The antimicrobial device (30) isconfigured to provide for an antimicrobial material on its externalsurface where the device (30) can be positioned within the bristles (74)of the brush (70) and in contact with at least a subset of the bristles(74) of the brush (70) when the cap (20) is positioned on the base (50)in the closed configuration of the applicator (10) as shown in FIG. 1.Generally, the antimicrobial device (30) will be arranged in the form ofone or more extensions or prongs (40) which project from the undersideof the of the end (26).

In the illustrated embodiment, the antimicrobial device (30) is formedof a plurality of prongs (40) extending longitudinally in spacedrelationship with each other from a mounting plug (32). The plug (32) isgenerally sized and shaped to fit within the cap (20) with a first orsecurement side (36) abutting against the inner surface of the closedtop (26) of the cap (20). In particular, the securement side (36) of theplug (32) is secured to the inner surface of the top of the cap (20) bysuitable adhesive, mechanical fastening or other known securementtechnique so that the cap (20) and antimicrobial device (30) areretained in assembly for conjoint positioning on and removal from thebase (50) of the applicator (10).

The prongs (40) will generally be attached to the plug (32) by anysuitable manner and in an embodiment are co-formed with the plug (32) byany technique such as, but not limited to, casting. Alternatively, theprongs (40) may be woven or pushed through the plug (32) or attached byany other means and methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The prongs (40) extend longitudinally from a second or unsecured side(38) of the plug (32) so as to extend toward the open end of the cap(20). In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 3, each prong (40) is generallycylindrical and has a generally rounded distal end (42) but that is notrequired. It should be understood that the prongs (40) may have anycross-sectional shape including, but not limited to square, rectangular,pyramidal, and oval and may be of any dimensions. Further, the prongs(40) may be tapered or structured with bulges, protrusions or otherstructures along their length or may be generally flattened structuressuch as, but not limited to flat plates or leaf shapes. Further, whilethe prongs (40) are depicted as solid, this is also not required andthey may be hollow or partially hollow to allow some of the bristles(40) to pass into each prong (40). Still further, the prongs (40) may beangles, bent, twisted, or otherwise shaped so as to form curves, hardangles (bends), helixes, spirals or other related structures. Regardlessof shape, the prongs (40) will generally be suitably strong so as toresist permanent deformation when the cap (20) is placed onto the base(50) and the prongs (40) are pushed within spaces within the bristles(74).

In an embodiment, the prongs (40) are suitably constructed, at leastalong an outer surface thereof, of a material such as, but not limitedto, a metal or alloy having antimicrobial properties. Generally, thiswill be a metal having an oligodynamic effect, such as, but not limitedto, copper, silver, gold, mercury, iron, lead, zinc, bismuth, aluminum,or alloys thereof, but may also comprise a non-metallic source of metalions such as, but not limited to, impregnated or coated glass. In anembodiment the material comprises copper or an alloy thereof including,without limitation, brasses, bronzes, cupronickel andcopper-nickel-zinc. In an embodiment, each of the prongs (40) isconstructed entirely of the material having antimicrobial properties. Inother embodiments, the one or more of the prongs (40) may be constructedof any suitable base material and then impregnated or coated with amaterial having antimicrobial properties to provide antimicrobialeffect.

In the closed configuration of the applicator (10) as seen in FIG. 1,the cap (20), with the prongs (40) extending longitudinally therein, isplaced on the base (50) in releasable connection with the sleeve (60).When in such configuration, the prongs (40) extend into the bristles(74) of the brush (70) and will generally place at least a subset of thebristles (74) in direct contact with the outer surfaces of the prongs(40). This arrangement directly exposes the bristles (74) in suchcontact with the antimicrobial. Microbes which are on the bristles (74),such as, but to limited to, those that may be residing on or in thebristles (74) and/or were picked up from the surface of the skin whenthe brush was used, are therefore in direct contact with theantimicrobial of the prongs (40) which can result in microbe death. Asshould be apparent, even microbes not in direct contact, will stillgenerally have the antimicrobial prongs (40) in close proximity and thiscan result in further microbe death. Generally, it is believed that theplacement of the prongs (40) both within and near the bristles (74) willreduce the number of bacteria and other microorganisms found within thebristles (74).

While the above specifically contemplates that the prongs (40) areconstructed on antimicrobial material, it should be recognized that toenhance the effect, one or more of the other components of theapplicator (10), such as, but not limited to, the cap (20), the sleeve(60) and/or the body (50) may be constructed in whole or in part of amaterial having antimicrobial properties. In an embodiment, this canresult in the body (50), cap (20), and sleeve (60) being constructedfrom or lined with a metal such as copper.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with certainpreferred embodiments, this should not be taken as a limitation to allof the provided details. Modifications and variations of the describedembodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, and other embodiments should be understood to beencompassed in the present disclosure as would be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art.

1. A cosmetic applicator comprising: a base; a brush comprising aplurality of bristles retained by said base; a cap positioned on thebase in a closed configuration of said applicator to fully enclose saidbrush within said applicator; and an antimicrobial device retainedwithin the cap and configured for direct contact with bristles of saidbrush in said closed configuration of the applicator.
 2. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 1 wherein the antimicrobial device comprises aplurality of prongs extending longitudinally within said cap and beingretained by said cap for direct contact with said bristles of said brushin said closed configuration of said applicator.
 3. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 2 wherein said prongs are generally cylindrical withrounded tips.
 4. The cosmetic applicator of claim 2 wherein said prongscomprise a metal having an oligodynamic effect.
 5. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 4, wherein at least one of said base and said capcomprises a metal having an oligodynamic effect.
 6. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 5 wherein said prongs comprise at least one ofcopper and an alloy thereof.
 7. The cosmetic applicator of claim 6wherein said base and said cap comprise at least one of copper and analloy thereof.
 8. The cosmetic applicator of claim 4 wherein said prongscomprise at least one of copper and an alloy thereof.
 9. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 1 wherein said base includes a sleeve moveablerelative to said base.
 10. A cosmetic applicator comprising: a base; abrush comprising a plurality of bristles retained by said base; and acap including a plurality of prongs extending within said cap, saidplurality of prongs having an antimicrobial on an outer surface thereof;wherein said prongs are interspersed within said bristles of said brushwhen said cap is positioned on said base in a closed configuration so asto fully enclose said brush within said base and said cap.
 11. Thecosmetic applicator of claim 10 wherein said prongs are formed from ametal having an oligodynamic effect.
 12. The cosmetic applicator ofclaim 10 wherein said prongs are coated with a metal having anoligodynamic effect.
 13. The cosmetic applicator of claim 10 whereinsaid prongs are formed from copper or an alloy thereof.
 14. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 10 wherein said prongs are coated with copper or analloy thereof.
 15. The cosmetic applicator of claim 10 wherein said capis formed from a metal having an oligodynamic effect.
 16. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 10 wherein said cap is coated with a metal having anoligodynamic effect.
 17. The cosmetic applicator of claim 10 whereinsaid antimicrobial is a source of metal ions.